The co-founders of UK-based game development studio Rebellion have been recognised in the 2024 New Year Honours List.
Brothers Jason and Chris Kingsley, CEO and CTO respectively, who set up the studio back in 1992, have been honoured as Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to the creative industries.
The pair already had OBE titles, with Jason receiving his in 2012 and Chris in 2019.
Rebellion, perhaps most known for its Sniper Elite franchise, has published many game titles for a range of consoles, in series such as Harry Potter, Star Wars, Aliens vs Predator, The Simpsons, Call of Duty, Delta Force and more.
The studio also publishes books, films, tabeltop games and comics. It’s headquartered in Oxford but has hubs throughout the UK.
Rebellion co-founder and CEO Jason Kingsley CBE said:
Dr Richard Wilson OBE, CEO of UK games dev trade body TIGA, said: “I am delighted that Jason and Chris have been awarded CBEs. Jason and Chris thoroughly deserve this recognition, given the enormous contribution they have made to the UK video games industry and the impact they have made in other creative industries such as comics, publishing, film, television and tabletop gaming.
“Jason and Chris have also made a significant commitment to the work of TIGA and to our goal of making the UK the best place in the world to develop video games. Congratulations on this outstanding achievement.”
Others recognised in the 2024 New Year Honours List include musician Dame Shirley Bassey DBE, author Jilly Cooper CBE, Sajid Javid MP, England goalkeeper Mary Earps, Arsenal CEO Vinai Venkatesham, JD Wetherspoon founder Tim Martin, actor Emilia Clarke (who is also co-founder of brain injury recovery charity SameYou) and film director Sir Ridley Scott to name a few.
“Jason and Chris thoroughly deserve this recognition, given the enormous contribution they have made to the UK video games industry and the impact they have made in other creative industries such as comics, publishing, film, television and tabletop gaming.”
Dr Richard Wilson OBE, TIGA
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak added: “The New Year’s Honours List recognises the exceptional achievements of people across the country and those who have shown the highest commitment to selflessness and compassion.
“To all honourees, you are the pride of this country and an inspiration to us all.”
Could we see esports talent recognised in the future following the 2024 New Year Honours List? Here’s how to nominate someone
Esports talent haven’t really been recognised by the UK in the New Year Honours – yet.
The Government’s knowledge of competitive gaming seems to have been pretty poor over the years. But could that change in the future?
The UK has some excellent esports broadcast talent, management, content creators, and some decent players in a few games too (mainly in football, fighting and racing games).
British Esports chair Andy Payne has an OBE, but he received that for his work in the games industry, prior to British Esports forming.
The honours system recognises people who have ‘made achievements in public life’ and ‘committed themselves to serving and helping the UK’.
Whether someone gets an honour is decided by an honours committee, whose recommendations go to the Prime Minister and then to the King, who awards the honour.
You can nominate someone for a New Year Honour here
Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
